Back in the day, model trains ran on small tracks above the tables at Dunville’s.
It wasn’t random. The popular restaurant/bar sits a few yards from the Saugatuck train station.
Times change. Dunville’s is now Little Pub. The model trains are gone.
But a sign — “Beware of the Trains” — remains.
It sits above the kitchen door.
It seems — judging by the responses to last week’s Photo Challenge — to be little noticed. Only 3 readers — Richard Stein, Andrew Colabella and Dave Eason — knew the answer.
And many who do notice it may not appreciate why it’s there.
But Richard, Andrew and Dave are townies. IYKYK.
This week’s Photo Challenge may be tough too. But it sure is appropriate for spring.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Scott Smith)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The annual event — organized by the Westport Police Athletic League and Parks & Recreation Department, and sponsored once again by longtime Westport residents/Staples High School graduates Melissa and Doug Bernstein — is Tuesday, July 2.
Tickets to the fireworks — shot from a barge in Long Island Sound, and the culmination of a day of picnics, parties and fun all along Compo Beach — are available in the front lobbies of both the Westport Police Department on Jesup Road, and the Parks & Rec Office in Longshore Club Park, near the first tee.
Tickets ($50 per car) allow entrance into the Compo parking lots. They are on sale 24/7 at the police station now, and during business hours at Parks & Rec (starting June 1). All sales are cash or check; no credit cards.
Proceeds from the fireworks help fund PAL operating expenses. The organization serves thousands of youngsters each year, through sports programs and scholarships. PAL also runs the ice skating rink at Longshore.
Doug Bernstein (5th from left) hands Police Chief Foti Koskinas the ceremonial first fireworks ticket yesterday. Also on hand (from left): Parks & Rec operations director Carmen Roda, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, PAL president Craig Bergamo, Melissa Bernstein, Parks & Rec interim director Rick Giunta and Lieut. Matthew Gouveia. (Photo/Dan Woog)
This afternoon (Friday), Westport Police officers will carry the Flame of Hope through town, in support of Special Olympics of Connecticut.
Norwalk Police will hand off the Flame at the Westport/Norwalk town line on Route 1 (Post Road West) at approximately 12:00 p.m.
Westport officers will carry the torch along the Post Road, and pass it off to Fairfield police at the Fairfield border.
Police will escort the torch through town. Residents are encouraged to watch and support this great cause.
The Special Olympics torch run last year: Post Road at the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Dunville’s — the 40-plus-year-old hangout in the heart of Saugatuck — celebrated its grand re-opening last night.
The restaurant/bar is now called Little Pub @ Dunville’s. Doug Grabe — the owner of the local chain — is keeping the name and vibe of the well-loved local institution. It’s open 7 days a week, for lunch and dinner.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon (actually a caution tape) last night, from row from left: RTM member Sal Liccione, Planning & Zoning chair Paul Lebowitz, selectwomen Jen Tooke and Candice Savin, State Senator Ceci Maher, RTM member Matthew Mandell, owner Doug Grabe. Rear: RTM member Andrew Colabella, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, RTM member Andrew Bloom.
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As graduation nears, every night brings a different celebration.
All are special. But the High Honors dinner at Staples last night was particularly meaningful.
Twenty students — the top 4% of the Class of 2024 — were honored for their achievements.
Each invited one teacher or counselor. Each educator spoke for a few minutes about “their” student.
Bonds between the teachers and teenagers were strong and deep. A wide variety of disciplines was represented: English, social studies, science, math and music.
There were stories of STEM students who found loves for literature and government; of conversations about life before and after school that transcended classrooms; of challenges made and surpassed.
Each student thanked their teachers — and their parents — for getting them where they are today.
There are many reasons to be fearful about the future of our world. Last night offered 21 reasons to be very, very optimistic.
The High Honors students were Kathryn Asiel, Emerson Briggs, Coco Crombie, Gabriela de Brito, Eitan Eiger, Dylan Fiore, Peter Loranger, Defne Merih, Neva Mermagen, Connor Ng, Ellen Ou, Mabel Propper, Jeremy Rosenkranz, Jameson Russell, Kaitlyn Seo, Elizabeth Turner, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, valedictorian Leigh Foran and salutatorian Andrew Berkowitz.
The teachers and staff members they honored were Rasha Tarek, Will Jones, Deborah Slocum, Noreen McGoldrick, Robert Shamberg, Alexandra McHale, Michael Mezzo, Maxim Kolb, Heather Wirkus, Ann Neary, Jon Shepro, Dominick Messina, Heather Colletti-Houde, Joe Barahona and Brian Tippy.
Staples High School’s 2024 High Honors graduates-to-be.
Sorelle Gallery’s new exhibition, “Summer Crush,” showcases original paintings by artists who draw inspiration from water and the coast in a wide variety of styles, from abstract to hyper-realistic.
The exhibition opens on June 15, 2024, with a reception from 2-4 p.m.
An artists’ talk and Q-and-A at 2:30 features Julia Contacessi, Kelly Rossetti, Nealy Hauschildt and Tony Iadicicco. Light refreshments with a summer rosé will be served.
The show runs through July 6. For more information, click here.
“Summer Crush” at Sorelle Gallery.
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Carl Addison Swanson has seen plenty of violations of this rule.
He reminds “06880” readers: If you raise your hand to traffic at a crosswalk, you have the right of the way.
Drivers: Stop for pedestrians who raise their hands at crosswalks.
But pedestrians: Look both ways, to make sure those drivers have stopped!
Stop for pedestrians!
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Have you seen today’s “Westport … Naturally” deer?
Richard Fogel has. And, he says of this one — seen here at the corner of East Main Street and Whitney Road Extension — it is “a family pet. Crazy. You can walk up and touch it.”
And finally … today is the final day of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.
(“06880” is your place for hyper-local news, 24/7/365. Every day, we rely on reader support. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
And — under the leadership of Doug Grabe, who owns 5 Little Pubs and has now taken over operation of the Saugatuck landmark — it aims to be around for at least 40 more.
But not every restaurant makes it that long.
Even the landmarks.
To honor them, Dunville’s has unveiled a new “icons mural.”
Some flourished nearby. Others were across town.
All are gone, but warmly remembered.
There’s still some room left.
Any suggestions? Click “Comments” below.
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James Comey returns to Westport on May 23.
The former FBI director will be at the Westport Library. He’ll discuss his new book with TV host (and Westporter) Dave Briggs.
Comey’s book is called “Westport.” The suspense thriller features Nora Carleton, lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund.
What a coincidence! Before entering government service, Comey was general counsel of Bridgewater Associates — the world’s largest hedge fund. He and his family lived in Greens Farms, just a couple of miles from his office.
Click here for more information, and to register. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
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Henry Wynne has set many Connecticut and collegiate running records.
Now he’s part of a new world mark.
The 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate anchored the Brooks Beasts team that won the men’s distance relay at Friday night’s Oregon Relays.
Their 9:14.58 time sliced nearly a second off the record that stood for nearly a decade: 9:15.50.
It’s not his first world record, either. In 2019, Wynne’s Brooks Beast team won the 4 x 1 mile relay in 16:03.68, smashing the previous mark by as astonishing 9.13 seconds.
Wynne covered the 1600 meters — the longest leg of the 4 runners — in 3:52.64.
He told DyeStat.com that he fed off the energy of the crowd. “It was pressure,” Wynne said, “but such a fun atmosphere.”
Teammate Brandon Miller said: “Seeing Henry, that last 200, pulling away from the lights – it was so hype for me and the boys. It was a dream come true.”
(Click here for the full story. Click here for a video of Oregon Relays highlights. Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Henry Wynne crosses the finish line, with a world record. (Photo/Becky Holbrook courtesy of DyeStat.com)
But the celebration continues this Saturday (April 27, 10 a.m.)
Members of the Westport Police and Fire Departments, Staples Service League of Boys, Police Athletic League, VFW Post 399, Sons of the American Legion Westport Animal Shelter Advocates will gather at the animal control building on Elaine Road (off Compo Road South, between the I-95 underpass and railroad tracks), for a trash pick-up.
Even more help is needed. The area — which includes the state boat launch — is a mess.
Bring gloves and trash bags. Questions? Email acolabellartm4@gmail.com.
Westporters of all ages — including RTM member and organizer Andrew Colabella (standing on trash bags) and Police Chief Foti Koskinas (2nd from right) turned out for an earlier trash pick-up. Among the items: the large discarded signs (left).
The most famous pair nest on a tower next to Fresh Market. Others find homes on platforms at Burying Hill Beach and Sherwood Island State Park, drawing admiring gazes from springtime visitors.
Another osprey couple is less visible. Johanna Keyser Rossi’s eagle eyes (ho ho) spotted them high up on the cell tower next to the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the beachside nests.
Johanna Keyser Rossi doesn’t know if it’s an eel or a snake. But her Saugatuck River photo is definitely an intriguing addition to our “Westport … Naturally” series.
And finally … today is the birthday of the amazing Roy Orbison. He died far too young of heart failure in 1988. He was just 52.
The man Elvis Presley called “the greatest singer in the world” had a 4-octave range, earning him the nickname “the Caruso of Rock.”
In fact, music scholars say, Orbison and Enrico Caruso were the only 20th century tenors capable of hitting E over high C.
(“06880” can’t sing as well as Roy Orbison. But we’ve got pretty good range — at least, for our coverage of all things Westport. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
When Dunville’s closed last month, rumors flew around town.
Some said: It’s gone forever!
Others countered: No! It’s been bought by Little Pub!
No one seemed to know what was happening with the iconic 42-year-old Saugatuck restaurant/bar.
And no one who would know was speaking publicly.
Yesterday, Doug Grabe — who owns the 5 Little Pubs, in Fairfield, Wilton, Greenwich, Stratford and Old Saybrook — emailed “06880.” He said: “Dunville’s is not going anywhere. And neither is beloved owner Steve Carpentieri.
“He and I recently decided to work together to return Dunville’s to a full-service, 7-day-a-week lunch and dinner restaurant. We had to shut down for a bit to do that.
“Dunville’s is now back open every day from 4 to 11 p.m. for dinner service, takeout and delivery.
“Lunch service should start around April 1, with Dunville’s brunch returning shortly afterwards.
“We’re still sorting out the various systems, interfaces and platforms. But the current menu is up. Click here.
“There’s still lots to do. But we’re back open, and we hope to see everyone at Dunville’s 42nd annual St Patrick’s Day Celebration on Sunday March 17.”
Generations of Westporters can breathe a sigh of relief.
And look forward to another 4 decades of food, drinks and friendly vibe on Saugatuck Avenue.
It’s still more than 2 weeks away. But “Fashionably Westport” is already setting records.
The most number of participants — 30 stores, 13 salons, and over 100 models — are combining to make this a hometown event, and support a worthy cause: Homes with Hope.
The Westport Downtown Association’s raised runway show takes place Thursday, March 28 (7 to 10 p.m., Westport Library). A full day in-store activities follows on March 29.
The event features talented, energetic MC Dave Briggs. Cove Collective owner Carey Price is the runway director. There’s a silent auction, live music by the Staples Jazz Band; signature cocktails, and a “Fashionable Taste of Westport” food vendor experience.
Fashion retailer participants include 203 The Two Oh Three, 7 For All Mankind, Bella Bridesmaids, birddogs, Bobbles & Lace, Brochu Walker, Cove Collective, Dylan James Jewelry, Express Edit, Fred, J Crew, Jenni Kayne, Middlemarch, Mitchells, Naturino’s Kids Shoes, Nineteen Pieces, Plumed Serpent, Rhone, Scout & Molly’s, Savvy + Grace, South Moon Under, Splash of Pink, Southern Tide, Splendid, Stephen Kempson, Vince, Vuori, WC Prints, West and Winged Monkey.
Salon participants include Artistex Salon & Spa, Bird, Bloom, Blow Dry of Southport and Westport, Haus of Pretty, Headliners Salon, Feathers & Fringe, Lachers X Pure, Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar, Salon Dada, Salon Nash, W Hair & Color, and Whip Salon.
Auction donors are Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Blossom + Stem Floral Design, Jillin’ It, New Beauty & Wellness, Serendipity Labs, Shake Shack, Soul Cycle, Westport Botanica, and Westport Country Playhouse.
In a town filled with high-profile, high-impact organizations working hard to make the world a better place, Westporters should be aware of AWARE.
Its name is not as well known as some others. But the group — whose acronym stands for Assisting Women through Action, Resources and Education — quietly and efficiently gets stuff done.
And they do it in a unique way.
Each year, AWARE selects a women’s cause — female veterans, say, or breast cancer, literacy, or refugees and immigrants,
Then they partner with a charity working in that area. Through a fundraiser, hands-on activity and educational event, AWARE shines a light on specific women’s issue, all year long.
This year’s partner is Inspirica. The Stamford-based non-profit strives to end homelessness and housing insecurity by helping individuals and families achieve stability through support services, and affordable housing.
A fundraiser and awareness raiser on Saturday, March 23 (3 to 4 p.m.) includes a quick walk. It starts at Green & Tonic (all participants get a free smoothie), then goes up Main Street to Parker Harding Plaza, for a stroll along the Saugatuck River. It ends at the Westport Library.
The walk is organized by AWARE’s 3 high school clubs: Staples, Weston and Ridgefield.
Donations are requested, but not mandatory. Click here for details, and to donate.
There’s always plenty of water at Sherwood Island State Park.
After several days of rain, there’s a lot now in places there shouldn’t be.
Johanna Keyser Rossi snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo near the state park entrance. “Ducks and gulls preferred swimming there to the Sound,” she says.
Rebel & Rose Tattoo Studio celebrates its second anniversary March 2 (noon to 6 p.m., 155 Post Road East).
Women vendors — Mica Blaise, Candle Caboodle, Hemma Kitchen, Jeweled Coquette and Rebel Daughter Cookies — will be featured. Light bites, tarot cards and more, too.
“06880” has partnered with the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center to help the next generation of artists develop their talents.
They’re offering $5,000 worth of scholarships. But the deadline is soon: February 29.
The grants will go to current high school seniors with financial need who want to pursue an arts education at any level — university, community college or an arts school. All Westport 12th graders are eligible, no matter where they currently attend school.
The DFCAC is funding the scholarships. It was founded by Friedman — the downtown property owner, restauranteur (Onion Alley, Cobb’s Mill Inn, Stonehenge Inn) and philanthropist whose first wife Bobbie was an accomplished artist.
Students who currently participate in art classes or art activities should send up to 8 digital images (JPEGs) of their work. It can be any medium — photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, or other.
Applicants should also submit a statement of up to 300 words describing the value of art in their life, and the world at large.
Send images and the statement (or any questions) to info@DrewFriedmanCommunityArtsCenter.org (subject line: “2024 Scholarship”).
Submissions will be evaluated by an independent panel of professional artists. Awards will be announced by the end of March, with the winners’ work posted on “06880.”
Drew Friedman Community Arts Center representatives Miggs Burroughs and Nick Visconti (far right) and then-1st Selectman Jim Marpe congratulate previous arts scholarship winners.
Every year, the Staples High School boys swim and dive team hosts a Swim-a-thon. Members swim lengths of the pool; they ask relatives, friends, neighbors and businesses to pledge money per lap, or make a flat donation.
Funds go toward transportation, equipment, and the team banquet.
This year’s event is March 1 (3 to 5 p.m.). Click here to pledge or donate.
Trumpeter Frank London headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, February 22, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 for students and veterans).
Jazz at the Post Rounder Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall says London “tears down the walls of parochial practices of old and new jazz, swing, bop, klezmer, gypsy, Baltic, Cuban, West African and many other musical genres. He creates community across the globe.”
Wall and London were partners in Hasidic New Wave, which combined traditional Jewish celebratory music with downtown jazz, funk and “improvised mayhem.” They currently play together in Zion80, which mixes avant jazz and Afro beat.
London and Wall will be joined by pianist Roberta Piket, bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Greg Borrows.
Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
And finally … on this date in 1877, Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
(From Dunville’s and a tattoo shop, to jazz and the Bolshoi, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you enjoy “06880,” please support us by clicking here. Thank you!)
After missing 2020 because of COVID, the annual Westport Woman’s Club carnival has shifted from its traditional June date to September.
What hasn’t changed are the site — the Imperial Avenue parking lot next and adjacent WWC — and the attractions: rides, games, raffles, food, sand art and more.
Or the cause: raising funds for philanthropy.
The Yankee Doodle Fair runs today (Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.), tomorrow (Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.) and Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.).
Click below for a special video, created last year by Doug Tirola’s 4th Row Films, highlighting the 2019 event.
Affordable housing — what it means, where to put it, how it fits in to the suburban and statewide landscape — is a controversial topic.
Next Tuesday (September 28, 6:30 p.m., Zoom), State Senator Will Haskell and State Representative Stephanie Thomas host a bipartisan panel: “Affordable Housing in Our Community.”
Panelists include Westport Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin, and her Wilton counterpart Rick Tomasetti. The moderator is Heather Borden Herve, editor of “Good Morning Wilton.” Click here to register.
Among Westport’s affordable housing options: Sasco Creek Village.
Wednesday’s Roundup included details of the upcoming Blessing of the Animals, at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Looks like Westport’s animals will be twice blessed.
On the same date (Sunday, October 3, 9:30 a.m.), Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will offer its own courtyard Blessing of the Animals. It’s part of the annual Feast of St. Francis.
All animals — and humans — are welcome.
Blessing of the Animals, at Christ & Holy Trinity Church.
It’s almost October. Almost time to say goodbye to your garden, for the year.
How do you do it? On October 18 (7 p.m.), Wakeman Town Farms hosts “Putting Your Garden to Bed: The Pollinator Friendly Way.
Nathalie Fonteyne joins WTF master gardeners and coaches Alice Ely and Ryan Brunelle to share tips on what to cut down and what to leave, how to recycle and compost the last greens as the garden prepares for its long winter nap, and what vegetables you still have time to plant to ensure a healthy, beautiful garden next spring.
But there’s no band livelier than Band Central. The “house band” for CLASP Homes — the Westport-based nonprofit serving adults with autism and other developmental disabilities — headlines the organization’s first in-person, indoor event in nearly 2 years.
On October 15 (6:30 p.m., Fairfield Theater Company), they’ll play songs from Motown, and soul greats like Aretha Franklin, the Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Special guests will join in.
$40 tickets to the benefit include a pre-party, and an art show with work by CLASP residents. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Speaking of music: Scott Barr loves venues like FTC, the Levitt Pavilion and Capitol Theater, plus bars and other spaces to see local (and national) acts. He particularly enjoys seeing bands in small, intimate spaces, then watching as they achieve great success.
Every so often you stumble upon an entertainment event or a scene that must be witnessed and it usually happens where you least expect it.
He’s done it with the Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, Joan Osborne and Phish. More recent examples include The Record Company playing at Roton Middle School, and the Revivalists and Black Pumas playing at StageOne.
Now, Scott says, a music scene is happening in Westport “right under our noses.”
Every Tuesday night at 8, a band called Residual Groove (aka KRIS or JEDD ) plays at Dunville’s. This week, members of Goose played with them.
“They have special guests all the time, and their playlist is for all ages,” Scott reports. “If anyone is looking for a fresh new scene and great music, check it out.”
He gives a special shoutout to Dunville’s owner Steve Carpentieri, for making it all happen.
Residual Groove (with special guest Peter Anspach from Goose, center) at Dunville’s.
“We are lucky to have this wildlife rehabilitator right in Weston,” Jayne says. They are great, dedicated people. Over the years I have brought them birds, squirrels, opossum, and all manner of forest creatures.”
Lifelong Westporter John Stahursky died Tuesday at Fairfield County House in Stamford. He was 86 years old.
John graduated from Staples High School in 1953, and retired as a mechanic from Slez Garage in Westport. He loved gardening and farming, and volunteered for many years maintaining the lawns and flower gardens at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield. John grew from seed, then donated, countless plants to the parish for sale at their annual picnic.
He was honored with the St. Augustine Medal, from the Diocese of Bridgeport.
John enjoyed restoring Model A Fords, which were driven in Westport’s Memorial Day parades.
His family remembers him as “a hard working man, always ready with a smile and happy to help others in need.”
Survivors include his siblings Bernard Stahursky of Westport, Wanda Ornousky of Norwalk and Bertha Matis of Westport, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by sisters Jean Kral, Helen Rutski and Sophie E. Stahursky, and brothers, Joe, Frank and Steve Stahursky.
A funeral will be held Monday (September 27, 9:15 a.m. from the Dougiello Fairfield Funeral Home, and 10 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Assumption Cemetery in Westport. Friends may call Sunday (noon to 3 p.m).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to St. Anthony Parish, 149 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 or Fairfield County House, 1 Den Road, Stamford, CT 06902.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene is familiar, yet fresh:
And finally … singer Sarah Dash died Monday. She was 76.
According to the New York Times, she “brought her church-rooted soprano and high harmonies to Labelle, which began as a 1960s girl group before reinventing itself as a socially aware, Afro-futuristic rock and funk powerhouse, costumed in glittery sci-fi outfits and singing about revolution as well as earthy romance.”
Remember when the family gathered together on Sunday night, sharing dinner while listening to a drama or musical on the radio?
Neither do I.
But Westporters — and anyone else with an internet connection — can enjoy evenings in the coming weeks. Staples Players presents 3 radio shows.
And 3 local restaurants are offering special meal deals, to spice up the fun.
This Sunday (October 25, 6 p.m.), tune in to “The Wizard of Oz.” Little Barn has created a special menu including Wicked Witch Wings, Tin Man Tacos, Munchkin Burger (kid-size), Emerald City Cocktails and more.
Click here and choose “Order later” for October 25. Scroll down to the “Wizard of Oz” menu (after “Entrees”). NOTE: Glinda the Good Witch says you can order from the whole menu if you like!
Little Barn is not in Kansas anymore. Then again, it never was.
On November 8 (6 p.m.), listen to “Pride and Prejudice” whilst dining on Pemberley’s prime rib dinner, complete with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and sticky toffee pudding. It’s all courtesy of (of course) Fairfield’s Gruel Brittania.
Gruel Brittania’s sticky toffee pudding.
Then on November 22, gather round the hearth for the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The comes from a classic Westport spot: Dunville’s.
Call or text Dunville’s owner Steve Carpentieri (203-247-3113) with your order for:
George Bailey’s Yankee pot roast dinner for 4 (potatoes, carrots, celery, pearl onions. mixed greens salad)
Uncle Billy’s smoked St Louis ribs with fries and coleslaw
Mary Hatch’s seafood stuffed sole with mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and hollandaise sauce
Mr. Potter’s New Bedford day boat sea scallops with sautéed spinach, white beans, garlic, extra virgin olive oil.
Dunville’s Yankee pot roast.
Menus are available on the restaurants’ websites within a week of each show. Order ahead; quantities are limited.
(The 3 radio shows can be heard on WWPT, 90.3 FM. For the livestream, click on www.wwptfm.org.)
If you’ve passed by Dunville’s recently, you might have seen its smoker smoking away in the parking lot.
Sure, the popular Saugatuck Avenue restaurant is open for curbside pickup and delivery.
But the great meats and more it’s long been known for now feed grateful stomachs far beyond the usual customer base.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, owner Steve Carpentieri and Daniel Sullivan — owner and chef of Big Dimps BBQ in Norwalk — have partnered to feed a host of heroes.
The smoker crew (from left): Conor McMorrow, Daniel Sullivan, Steve Carpentieri. Kneeling: Dan Hoose.
Aided by friends in the industry who were laid off — or are still working, but offer to help — Steve and Daniel prepare and package amazing meals on site. Inside, the once-busy restaurant has been turned into a staging area.
The menu is mouth-watering: St. Louis ribs, chicken, pulled pork, smoked chicken quesadillas, double beef burgers with applewood smoked bacon, broccoli slaw, garden salads, baked beans, brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
Dunville’s does it right.
An army of volunteers delivers the meals to all kinds of front line personnel and first responders. Recipients so far include hospitals (Norwalk, Stamford, Griffin Hospital, Vassar); police departments (Westport, Norwalk, Wilton, Fairfield, Stamford); fire departments (Westport, Norwalk Stamford); Orange County Regional Medical Center; Bridgeport Boys & Girls Clubs, and 911 operators and dispatch.
This week they’ll serve Norwalk’s Autumn Lake Healthcare, a rehabilitation facility and more police departments. They’re already planning next week’s schedule.
A delivery to the Fairfield Police Department.
They’ve done it all thanks to support from the community. Social media brings in some donations; others come from people driving by. They see the big smoker, stop to see what’s going on, and make donations.
The rest of the cost is borne by Carpentieri, Sullivan and their crews. “We have the facility — which I’m paying for anyway — and the volunteers to make this happen,” the Dunville’s owner (a 1983 Staples High School graduate) says.
“It would have been a shame to let this opportunity pass us by.”
They’re closing in on 3,000 meals served. Take that, McDonald’s!
As the coronavirus sweeps across America, nursing homes have become synonymous with death.
A Westport family has a different story to tell.
Barbara Clouser — mother of Karen, Karla and Stacy — died Tuesday. She spent the past 6 years at Autumn Lake Healthcare in Norwalk.
“They treated her like gold,” says Stacy Clouser Shaw. “They are gutted.”
Barbara Clouser
The nursing home was always beautifully decorated, and cheerful. When Barbara’s daughters visited they were greeted kindly, and treated well. The director made sure to stop by, and say hello to Barbara and her guests.
“Mom looked great. Her hair was done, and the room was immaculate,” Stacy says. “She had 3 meals a day, in a lovely dining hall. It was very calming to the soul.”
The staff did not know Barbara before she suffered from dementia. But thanks to their care and compassion, she smiled until the end.
“They have been so gracious,” Stacy says. “They made sure we could say goodbye. They held her hand until we all called. Because of this place, we were able to live our lives without fear for her. We lost her, but there is no blame.”
The Clouser family is paying it forward. On Tuesday, Dunville’s owner Steve Carpentieri, staff, and co-provider Big Dimps BBQ with chef Daniel Sullivan will deliver 95 boxed lunches to Autumn Lake Healthcare. It’s the daughters’ way of saying thank you, for all that the nursing home did for their beloved mother.
Back in the day, restaurants handed out matches like, well, candy mints.
Back in the day too — when alert “06880” reader/beloved sailing instructor John Kantor was smoking — he collected them.
The other day — in the back of a closet — he found his collection.
They range from old favorites (Arrow, Allen’s Clam House, Manero’s) to barely remembered spots (Beansprout, Panda Pavilion, Boss Tweed’s).
Turns out, restaurants still give away matches. John’s collection includes Dunville’s, Sakura’s, even Bartaco — places still very much alive and well.
Although, if you need all those matches to light cigarettes, you may not be for long.
(NOTE: As a special “06880” gift, John Kantor will send a high-res digital copy of this poster to anyone who wants it. Just email hijkantor@yahoo.com. What a great way to “light up” your holiday!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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